FAQ

The Answers You Need

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It's an online application to qualify for federal financial aid within colleges. Government looks at information given to calculate your expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is how much you and your family are expected to pay for your education.

Should my child fill out the FAFSA?

Yes, even if they don't plan on attending college. Think about this, have you ever changed your mind on something you felt you were dead-set on? Well odds are, your students' mind will change more than 3 times over the duration of senior year. It's best to be prepared!

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Yes, even if you don't think you will receive any money due to your income base. Scholarships may need a FAFSA on file to show a student is need based but there are many times when it's needed to show if a student is NOT need-based. 

TIP, what is it?

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) encourages eligible Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing tuition assistance during an eligible student's qualifying certificate or associate degree program and also during the student's bachelor's degree program. There are two phases for TIP, Phase 1 and Phase 2. 

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Phase 1

- Helps with freshman and sophomore years of student during college. Student must be enrolled in a certificate or associate degree program.

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Phase 2

- During student's junior and senior year, or after earning 56 transferable semester credits, certificate , or an associate degree. This phase must be completed within 30 months of Phase 1 completion. 

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*All Community Colleges accept Phase 1

*Select Public Universities accept Phase 1

* All Public Universities accept Phase 2

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When do local scholarships open?

Many local scholarships start opening up the second half of the year. The Manistee County Community Foundation puts our their scholarships January 1.

What is the Student Aid Report (SAR) on the FAFSA?

The SAR is a paper or electronic document giving basic information about students' eligibility for federal student aid and reports all data completed on FAFSA.

How do I know if the FAFSA has been selected for verification or needs to be corrected?

Take a look at this Google Presentation made for you knowledge about FAFSA SAR Notifications